‘Excluded workers’ go on hunger strike in Washington Square

They deliver your food order to your door, serve you in restaurants and from street carts. But now, ironically, they themselves are forgoing food, as they call for adequate COVID relief funds.

So-called “excluded workers” who have been left out of COVID relief bills are on a hunger strike in Washington Square Park.

Among them are food delivery persons, street vendors and restaurant workers who, due to their undocumented immigration status, are ineligible for unemployment or stimulus checks.

Although Albany has included $2.1 billion in funding for the excluded workers, they say they need $3.5 billion because they don’t qualify for unemployment.

The Washington Square group, according to a banner, also support “canceling rent” during the pandemic and freeing all prisoners.